A local community activist says women have a different skillset to offer.
Women bring a different skillset to the world of politics and it's one of the reasons female representation needs to be addressed in the midlands.
That's according to community activist and former Offaly County Councillor Molly Buckley.
Nine of the midlands' 58 councillors are women - with just one in Offaly.
Women for Election and See Her Elected are holding a number of events to raise awareness of the issue.
Molly Buckley, who attended a Women for Election event in Offaly County Council this week, says diversity of opinion improves political outcomes: